Here in South America, many can think that the strongest Metal market is Brazil due its large geographic dimensions. If you think in this way, you're wrong, because Chile seems to be a better market, with many bands from Europe and USA playing there and not in Brazil, which means a stronger national economy. There are some good bands there, one of them being this young quintet, DEATHWARDS, who comes with their first work, a Demo Tape called "Towards Death". Ok, I know that recording on tapes is a pretty romantic and unusual feature (personally, I truly dislike this kind of physical media), but it what they chose to show their world their Death/Black Metal work, based in the 80's, showing strong influences from VOIVOD on "War and Pain" era and SODOM (on their "Obsessed by Cruelty" times). It's not the newest thing on Earth, and they still have a long way to go, but they have a great potential.

On the recording quality, as you could expect, they use a crude approach. Obviously an influence from the past (although as I already wrote about this matter before, it wasn't done in that way for attitude, but due the conditions the bands had), but it's not as bad as we all hear once in a while. It could be better, because the rawness is beyond the right point, but we can understand what they are doing. But I truly recommend them to use a cleaner sound on next time (but not an extreme clear production, please).

The fine guitar work and energy that flows from "In Death I Become", the fast and oppressive tempos of "The Hierarchist", the raw impact of "Epitaph from the Underworld" (very good guitars, I must state), and the brutal grasp imposed by the slow tempos of "Impending Prophecies" (very good nasty tunes on the vocals here) are proofs that these guys have talent. And their version for INFERNAL MAJESTY's "Overlord" shows that they bear a good musical technique. I believe in DEATHWARDS musical work, but they must know that they aren't a band from the 80's, and that we aren't on those days as well. You can do a musical work as you do (it's truly good, indeed), but when you begin to record your first album (and you will), use a better sound quality, something like TOXIC HOLOCAUST uses on their latest albums, and it will fit on what you do. But until this time comes, "Towards Death" is a very good release.